Conversation with a Girl on the Edge of Hysteria: An Analysis of Humpty Dumpty

May 20, 2008

By Katie S., Cincinnati, IA

“How are you feeling?” “I’m okay. Still on painkillers.” “I wish I could have done something to fix your broken head.” “The doctors don’t even know if they can fix it.” “I hope you’re not like Humpty Dumpty. They couldn’t put him back together.” “I’ll be okay.” “Yeah. I bet your doctors are more qualified than kings and horses.” “It was the king’s men.” “That’s even worse! Why didn’t the king do it himself?” “He was busy.” “Was Humpty Dumpty an egg?” “I think so.” “What the hell was an egg doing sitting on a wall? Eggs shouldn’t sit on walls. They’d rot out in the sun like that.” “Maybe that’s why he fell over.” “Then it’s a good thing the horses couldn’t get him back together. He would’ve just died anyway.” “Yeah.” “Horses shouldn’t try to put eggs back together. That’s a delicate process to be performing without fingers.” “How much sleep have you gotten?” “A couple hours.” “Go to bed.” “I hope you aren’t rotting.” “Katie, go to bed.” “Promise you won’t rot?” “I promise.” “Okay. ‘Bye.” “’Bye.”

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